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The OP has an extremely narrow and rigid (and frankly, elitist) view of what constitutes a business. Saying a franchisee isn't a business owner is rather silly.
This thread is funny. OP, why does it bother you so much?
Reminds me of my first job in college (reporter) when it really annoyed me when people said they were "writers" when they had never actually published anything. Luckily, I don't think that way anymore.
Anyway, I am a business owner in the narrowest sense of the OP's definition (created a product/brand from scratch, have employs with payroll/benefits, turn a consistent profit, etc.), but even I can see quite a few flaws with his limited definition. I would include consultants, franchise owners, re-sellers who don't "create" a product, independent sales agents, someone who buys an existing businesses, Ebay/Craiglist sellers, grandma's selling cookies out of their garage.... I mean you have to start somewhere and many successful businesses have been started in these ways.
I can see the OP's point. I recently had a bored housewife try to convince me her sales of MoniVie was a business opportunity......She bragged she made a 4 digit income from it.
Her husband was rolling his eyes in the background! I jokingly asked if she was paying for the house yet (3mm house)!
People in business don't brag about it because at some point they thought about packing it in and getting a job. Being in business is not a 9-5 five days a week. So when people say they are in business ask them how much sleep they get or count the grey hairs. Yet the real test is ask them about a popular reality show. If they are up to date then, well you know..They are lying..
I will say this. I think basically everyone is their own business. You either market out your abilities to an employer or out to the free market.
People in business don't brag about it because at some point they thought about packing it in and getting a job. Being in business is not a 9-5 five days a week. So when people say they are in business ask them how much sleep they get or count the grey hairs. Yet the real test is ask them about a popular reality show. If they are up to date then, well you know..They are lying..
I will say this. I think basically everyone is their own business. You either market out your abilities to an employer or out to the free market.
Well I guess the definition of a real business is getting narrower by the second. This thread is getting ridiculous....
As a retired former business owner of 36 yrs...you must have a business license to be considered a business owner...making or NOT making any money...still a business owner.
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